Inspector Zende

Inspector Zende sets the stage for a sharp, modern mystery but quickly retreats into the safety of tropes, turning what could have been a layered character study into a checklist of procedural conventions. The cinematography suggests tension, and the score leans into noir sensibilities, yet the narrative rarely justifies either. Zende himself is an engaging figure, caught between moral duty and personal flaws, but his arc is flattened by predictable plot turns and side characters who exist only to move him from clue to clue. There's a sense of potential lurking beneath the surface-hints of corruption, guilt, and redemption-but it's drowned out by exposition and recycled suspense beats. It's not a failure, but it's frustrating: a mystery too afraid to get lost in itself.

This movie is a complete letdown from start to finish, and my sincere suggestion is to avoid wasting your time on it. The direction feels lazy and uninspired, the screenplay drags without any sense of purpose, and the dialogues are weak and unconvincing. Even an actor of Manoj Bajpayee's caliber, who usually elevates any project he is part of, could not rescue this disaster. His performance, though sincere, feels wasted in a film that has been so poorly conceived and terribly executed. The supporting cast delivers one of the most forgettable and unconvincing performances in recent memory, making the viewing experience even more unbearable. On top of that, the pacing is painfully slow, and the emotional depth the film attempts to portray falls flat due to bad writing and execution. Overall, this is not just a disappointment but a film you are better off skipping altogether.

Inspector Zende is inspired by true events and has a great cast led by Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh. Unfortunately, the execution does not live up to the potential.

The story moves ahead too quickly - before the seriousness of a moment can sink in, it jumps forward. As a result, the film never builds real emotional or thrilling grip. The conflict between hero and villain feels underwhelming, and the final Goa-Maharashtra border scene is childish instead of tense.

Some viewers may enjoy it as a light comedy; there are moments that work as "time pass." But if you expect a tense thriller based on the capture of Charles Sobhraj, you may feel disappointed. Even Manoj Bajpayee's solid performance cannot fully save the weak screenplay and inconsistent tone.

On the positive side, cinematography and production design are polished, giving the film a larger-than-life Bollywood look. But the treatment often feels like a regional comedy-drama, and editing issues make it drag in places.

Verdict: Good performances and visuals, but . Worth a one-time watch, nothing more.

The cast delivers solid performances, but the writing and direction falter. Unnecessary comedic elements and moments of overacting clash with the gravity of the true story. Charles Sobhraj killed more than a dozen people, and treating this as comedy feels misguided. The series struggles to find the right tone, making it hard to take the story seriously despite the actors' efforts.

Was eagerly waiting for Sep 5 to watch the movie just for Manoj Bajpayee, but it completely let me down right from start to end. Poor direction, unfunny jokes, boring action scenes. It was supposed to be a cop thriller based on true events, but not sure why they tried to make it funny which looks like they failed at miserably. Not recommended.